i would like to know which cereal in south africa is suitable for pregnant women with osteoporosis. thanks
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| Osteoporosis |
| Written by Chronicare |
| Tuesday, 26 January 2010 14:23 |
 Osteoporosis is a disease that can be debilitating and afflicts one in three women and one in five men. Take some time to learn more about this condition, how to avoid it and how to treat it.
What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. This leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture, particularly of the hip, spine and wrist. Osteoporosis can result in disfigurement, reduction or loss of mobility, and decreased independence. Osteoporosis is sometimes confused with osteoarthritis. Osteoporosis is a bone disease while osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints and surrounding tissue. Major risk factors for fracture • Low bone mineral density (BMD) • Prior fragility fracture • Long-term (more than 3 months) use of glucocorticoid therapy such as prednisone • The risk of fracture increases with age • Family history of osteoporotic fracture. How can you test for Osteoporosis? Measuring BMD (Bone mineral density) In BMD test results, your bones are compared to the bones of an average young adult. A score (called a T-score) is calculated that describes the density of your bones (usually at the spine and hip) and tells you how strong your bones are compared to this average. BMD determines whether you are losing bone more rapidly than expected for someone your age. Calcium and Osteoporosis: Bones require calcium to maintain their strength. The body regulates calcium supply in our bodies by: * absorbing calcium directly from the food we eat; * taking calcium from our bones if there is not enough available, in turn making the bones less dense and more fragile; * slowing down the amount of calcium that leaves the body in the urine by returning some to the blood stream where it remains available to organs and cells. Risk factors There is no single cause of osteoporosis. However, certain risk factors may play a role in the development of osteoporosis. Each factor influences our risk of developing the disease. Stronger predictors of bone loss are considered as major risk factors. Other conditions that may also lead to bone loss are considered minor risk factors. The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk of developing osteoporosis. Major risk factors • Age 65 or older • Vertebral compression fracture • Fracture with minimal trauma after age 40 • Family history of osteoporotic fracture (especially if your mother had a hip fracture) • Long-term (more than 3 months) use of glucocorticoid therapy such as prednisone • Medical conditions (such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease) that inhibit absorption of nutrients • Primary hyperparathyroidism • Tendency to fall • Osteopenia apparent on x-ray • Hypogonadism (low testosterone in men, loss of menstrual periods in younger women) • Early menopause (before age 45) Minor risk factors • Rheumatoid arthritis • Hyperthyroidism • Prolonged use of anticonvulsants • Prolonged heparin use • Body weight less than 57 kg (125 lbs.) • If your present weight is more than 10% below yourweight at age 25 • Low calcium intake • Excess caffeine (consistently more than 4 cups a day of coffee, tea, cola) • Excess alcohol (consistently more than 2 drinks a day) • Smoker How Much Calcium Do We Need? Daily calcium requirement: • Age 4 to 8 - 800 mg. Age 9 to 18 - 1300 mg. Age 19 to 50 - 1000 mg. Age 50+ - 1500 mg. • Pregnant or Lactating women 18+ - 1000 mg Foods that contain calcium which is easily absorbed Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt are excellent sources of calcium. They contain high amounts of calcium that are easily absorbed by the body. Skim milk products provide as much calcium as whole milk with the added advantage of less fat and cholesterol. Some calcium-fortified soy beverages and orange juices may contain as much calcium as milk (check the labels). Vegetables also provide calcium, as do fish products containing bones (canned salmon and sardines) and meat alternatives such as lentils and beans. Avoid foods which cause calcium loss. There is evidence to suggest that calcium loss through the urine is increased by the consumption of excess salt and caffeine. Which foods improve calcium intake? CALCIUM CONTENT OF SOME COMMON FOODS PORTION - CALCIUM* * Approximate values & Calcium-enriched milk - add 100 mg per serving MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS Milk - 2%, 1%, skim, chocolate 1 cup+/250mL - 300 mg Buttermilk 1 cup/250mL - 285 mg Cheese – Mozzarella 1 1/4”/3 cm cube - 200 mg Cheese - Cheddar, Edam, Gouda 1 1/4”/3 cm cube - 245 mg Yogurt – plain 3/4 cup/185 mL - 295 mg Milk - powder, dry 1/3 cup/75 mL - 270 mg Ice cream 1/2 cup/125 mL - 80 mg Cottage cheese - 2%, 1% 1/2 cup/125 mL - 75 mg FISH AND ALTERNATIVES Sardines, with bones 1/2 can/55 g - 200 mg Salmon, with bones – canned 1/2 can/105 g - 240 mg Fortified rice or soy beverage 1 cup/250 mL - 300 mg Fortified orange juice 1 cup/250 mL - 300 mg Molasses. Blackstrap 1 tbsp/15 mL - 180 mg Sesame seeds 1/2 cup/125 mL - 95 mg Beans, baked 1/2 cup/125 mL- 75 mg Beans - cooked (kidney, lima) 1 cup/250 mL - 50 mg Soybeans – cooked 1 cup/250 mL - 170 mg Taco 1 small -221 mg Tofu - with calcium sulfate 84 g - 130 mg BREADS AND CEREALS Muffin - bran (from recipe, made with milk) 1 medium - 84 mg Bread - whole wheat 2 slices - 40 mg Instant oatmeal, calcium added 32 g - 150 mg FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Broccoli – cooked 3/4 cup/185 mL - 50 mg Orange 1 medium - 50 mg Banana 1 medium - 10 mg Figs – dried 10 - 150 mg COMBINATION DISHES Lasagna – homemade 1 cup/250 mL -285 mg Soup made with milk, such as cream of chicken, mushroom or celery 1 cup/250 mL - 175 mg Drug Treatments Various drug treatments are available for individuals with osteoporosis. The primary aim of drug treatments is to reduce fractures. Several of these drugs are also used to prevent osteoporosis in individuals who are at high risk of developing the disease. The primary aim of medications used as preventive measures is to prevent further loss of bone density. Therapy available includes: • SERMs (Raloxifene Evista®) is from a family of drugs called SERMs or Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) • Calcitonin (A synthetic form of calcitonin • (Miacalcin*NS®) is used in a nasal spray) • Testosterone Replacement Therapy The information on osteoporosis was kindly supplied by Chronicare Medicines, a company that assists Medicover members with all aspects of chronic medication, from advice to authorisation to delivery. This article is sponsored by Medicover, an innovative, transparent, self-administered Medical Scheme that offers an affordable system of health care management. For more information visit our website www.medicover.co.za or phone our new business department on 0800 116 243.
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